Regional Planning and Development: South East

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will ensure that her proposed changes to the South East plan are published before 25 June 2008.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government intends to publish her Proposed Changes to Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East before the summer recess.
	I am sure you will understand that because of the nature of the work under way and the importance of the matters under consideration it would not be wise to commit, as you request, to a more definitive timeframe.

Rights of Way

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many wardens as defined by section 18 of the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 have been appointed in  (a) each region and  (b) each local authority area since 2001.

Jonathan R Shaw: This information is not centrally-held and could be gathered only at a disproportionate cost.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department and its agencies have commissioned, funded or utilised on the social impact of charging for the collection of household waste.

Joan Ruddock: The final report to DEFRA by Eunomia Consulting entitled: Modelling the Impact of Household Charging for Waste in England reviewed a range of research including on the social impacts of charging for the collection of household waste.
	The Government's Impact Assessment for powers to pilot local authority incentives for household waste minimisation and recycling also drew on a range of research on amounts of waste produced by households of different sizes, and income data for households of different sizes.

Construction: Cartels

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform under what legislation construction industry cartels are prohibited; what prosecutions have been undertaken in cases where legal proceedings have been completed against  (a) individuals and  (b) companies for acting as a cartel in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: Cartels are prohibited under the Competition Act 1998 and the Enterprise Act 2002 allows for prosecutions against individuals involved in cases acting in a cartel. There has been no prosecutions of individuals in the last five years, however three individuals have recently been charged and are awaiting a court hearing in respect of a cartel involving marine hoses and ancillary equipment. As the criminal cartel offence applies only to individuals, no company has been prosecuted. However, 13 decisions in civil proceedings have been made against 166 companies in relation to breaches of the Chapter 1 prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 (anti-competitive agreements) since 2003.

Office of Fair Trading

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what  (a) primary and  (b) secondary legislation governs the powers of the Office of Fair Trading; what changes have been made to each since their entry into force; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The primary legislation that governs the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) powers in relation to competition law and enforcement are:
	(i) The Competition Act 1998 ("the Act"). The OFT is responsible for enforcing the prohibitions contained in the Act which outlaw anti-competitive agreements and abuses of a dominant position within a market. The Act also empowers the OFT to obtain information, enter premises to conduct investigations, make interim and final decisions and impose financial penalties.
	(ii) The Enterprise Act 2002 provides the OFT with powers in relation to the regulatory control of mergers, market investigations and to the enforcement of the cartel offence and certain consumer legislation.
	Further powers given to the OFT under secondary legislation are:
	(i) Competition Act 1998 (Office of Fair Trading Rules) Order 2004 which outlines the procedural rules followed by OFT in carrying out investigations under the Competition Act 1998.
	(ii) EC Regulation 1/2003 which came into force May 2004, gives the OFT the power to enforce the prohibitions against anti-competitive agreements and abuses of a dominant position which may affect trade between EU member states. This regulation is about the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the treaty of Rome.

Press

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many press office staff were employed by  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) its non-departmental public bodies (i) in each year since 1996-97 and (ii) at the latest date for which information is available.

Gareth Thomas: The information requested is as follows
	
		
			  FTE staff employed in the BERR and UKTI press offices 
			   1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 BERR(1) 20 17 24 25 23 23 23 19 18 17 16 
			 UK Trade and Investment(2) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 4 3-4 3 2-3 2-4 
			 (1) The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) was created in July 2007. Figures before July 2007 refer to the number of press officers in the Department for Trade and Industry. (2) UKTI was formed in October 2003. Fluctuations in the above staff numbers are due to staff movements during the year. 
		
	
	
		
			  FTE staff employed in BERR NDPB press offices 
			   1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 ACAS(1) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Atomic Energy Authority(2) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Civil Nuclear Police Authority(3) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 1.5 1.5 
			 Coal Authority(4) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Competition Commission 1 1 1 1 1.5 1.5 1.5 2 2 2 2 
			 Competition Service(5) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 EnergyWatch(6) n/a n/a n/a n/a 7 7 7 7 4.5 4 4 
			 Hearing Aid Council(7) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 National Consumer Council 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Nuclear Decommissioning Authority(8) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 PostWatch(9) n/a n/a n/a n/a 2 4 4 4 4 4 n/a 
			 SITPRO Ltd(10) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 (1) Since 1996/1997 ACAS has employed two permanent communications professionals to carry out its media and marketing activity. Neither is a full-time press officer, but both combine press duties as part of their overall role. This includes operating an out-of-hours service for the media. The press office staff at ACAS also carry out other communications responsibilities besides press office work. (2) The UK Atomic Energy Authority does not employ dedicated press officers. Five members of staff in the UKAEA have media relations as part, but not all, of their duties. The FTE equivalent is provided as an estimate of the proportion of UKAEA communications team members' time available to cover press officer functions. (3) The Civil Nuclear Constabulary was set up as a separate entity in 2005. (4 )The Coal Authority does not have a press office. (5) The Competition Service does not have a press office. (6) EnergyWatch, were set up in 2001. (7) The Hearing Aid Council does not have a press office. (8) The National Decommissioning Authority does not have a press office. Three communications managers are employed to undertake a variety of activities of which handling media enquiries is one element. A head of communications and communications director may also handle media inquiries. (9) PostWatch were set up in 2001. (10) SITPRO Ltd employs only one member of staff for marketing and promotion, whose responsibilities include some dealings with the press. 
		
	
	
		
			  FTE staff employed in RDA press offices 
			   1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 AWM(1) n/a 1 1 3 4 4 4 4 
			 EEDA 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 
			 EMDA 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 
			 LDA(2) n/a n/a n/a 3 3 5.5 6 6 
			 NWDA(3) 2 4 5 6 6 9 7 6 
			 ONE n/a 3 3 3 4 3 5 6 
			 SEEDA(4) 1 1 2 2.5 5 5 5.5 5.5 
			 SWRDA n/a n/a 3 3 4 5 5 5.5 
			 YF 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 
			 (1) AWM payroll information for 1999-2000 is in archive and it is not possible to determine the number of FTE staff fulfilling the press office function for that year. (2) LDA was not set up until 2000-01. Payroll information for 1999-2000 is in archive and it is not possible to determine the number of FTE staff fulfilling the press office function for that year. (3) NWDA figures reflect the total number of staff who carried out a press office function as part of their duties during the financial year (they did not carry out these duties for the full financial year in all cases, or all at the same time). (4) SEEDA does not employ dedicated press officers. This function is carried out as part of the duties of the SEEDA communications team. The FTE equivalent is provided as an estimate of the proportion of SEEDA communications team members' time available to cover press officer functions.

Africa: Malaria

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his most recent estimate is of the incidence of malaria in Africa; and what steps  (a) the UK and  (b) international organisations plan to take to combat the disease.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 9( th) May 2008
	According to the latest estimates there are up to 500 million cases of malaria globally, and at least one million deaths annually. Around 90 per cent. of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, mostly in young children. The UK Government's support for malaria control is provided through international organisations and partnerships, bilateral programmes and research.
	In April the Prime Minister announced that the UK will provide 20 million insecticide treated bed nets which are vital for preventing malaria. This is one of the first pledges made to "Cover The Bed Net Gap" launched by the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBMP) to rally donor countries, multilateral institutions, the private sector, and the general public to achieve the goal of universal bed net coverage by 2010. This new RBMP initiative is a direct response to the UN Secretary-General's call for universal coverage of malaria control in Africa by the end of 2010 to mark World Malaria Day on 25 April 2008.
	The UK Government, through the Department for International Development (DFID) have committed £1 billion by 2015 to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. To date the fund has disbursed US$ 5.5 billion; 25 per cent. of which goes to malaria programmes. DFID also provides funding contributions to the WHO, UNICEF and the World Bank's International Development Association as well as the RBMP which plays a central role in helping countries develop and secure finance for national malaria plans. DFID supported UNITAID, the international drug purchase facility with €20 million in 2007 to purchase drugs for anti-malarial treatments as well as for TB and HIV/AIDS. Our contribution will rise to €60 million by 2010. DFID has also contributed over £16 million for new drug development to the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDI) and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).

Developing Countries: Children

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the United Nations Children's Fund report, Our climate, our children, our responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Department for International Development (DFID) welcomes the recent UNICEF UK report "Our climate, our children, our responsibility" as a valuable contribution to the growing evidence base on the social impacts of climate change, and in particular the impacts on children. Climate change will most affect developing countries, and the poorest and most vulnerable in those societies, including children. This report further underlines the need for the international community to act urgently, both to mitigate the causes of climate change and to support developing countries to adapt to its impacts.

Developing Countries: Overseas Aid

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for which  (a) countries and  (b) regions his Department will be developing new country assistance plans in 2008 and 2009; and what arrangements he plans to make for consultation on these plans.

Douglas Alexander: The following country and regional plans have been or are currently scheduled to be submitted for agreement during 2008 and 2009: Vietnam, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Caribbean, Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen, Palestine, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. For many of these countries, consultations have already been undertaken or-are taking place.
	When country and regional plans are being prepared, my Department follows Cabinet Office guidance on consultation processes, including a 12-week public consultation publicised on the Department for International Development (DFID) external website. In addition to discussions with partner governments, in-country and external consultation takes place with other donors, civil society, NGOs and the private sector, and with other UK Government Departments.

Zimbabwe

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Zimbabwe.

Meg Munn: Since the elections elements of the security forces have systematically brutalised ordinary Zimbabweans, with almost 700 people beaten, 6 murdered and over 7,000 people displaced. The majority of Zimbabweans have already rejected Robert Mugabe as President. For any second round to be free and fair, violence must cease and international observers be given access now. We will continue to urge for a UN human rights mission or envoy to investigate abuses.

Pakistan

Christine Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to support democracy in Pakistan.

Jim Murphy: We are working with the Government of Pakistan, both bilaterally and through the EU and other multilateral organisations, to help meet the political and economic challenges it faces.
	Recent visits by my right hon. Friends the Home and Foreign Secretaries have underscored the UK's commitment to promote good governance, strengthen democratic institutions, and combat terrorism. The UK played an active role in the EU's Election Observation Mission in February.

Children in Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many looked after children there were in each local authority in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: Information on the number of children in care in each local authority area in each of the last five years is shown in the following table. (Table LAA1).
	Table LAA1 is taken from the Statistical First Release entitled 'Children Looked After in England (Including Adoption and Care Leavers) year ending 31 March 2007', which is located at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000741/index.shtml and table LAA1 can be found within the 1st set of 10 additional tables supplementing SFR27/2007 on the website.
	
		
			  Table LAA1: Children looked after at 31 March 2003 to 2007( 1, 2, 3,)  England 
			  Numbers and rates per 10,000 children aged under 18 years 
			   Numbers  Rates 
			   2003( 4)  2004( 5)  2005( 5)  2006( 5)  2007( 5)  2003( 4)  2004( 5)  2005( 5)  2006( 5)  2007( 5) 
			  England 61,200 61,200 61,000 60,300 60,000 55 55 55 55 55 
			
			  North East 3,280 3,320 3,290 3,160 3,250 59 60 60 58 61 
			 Darlington 155 145 140 150 140 71 66 63 67 63 
			 Durham 445 495 475 410 405 42 47 46 40 40 
			 Gateshead 250 265 245 280 305 61 64 61 70 77 
			 Hartlepool 105 115 120 115 135 49 54 55 55 63 
			 Middlesbrough 265 240 240 240 240 77 72 72 74 75 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne 380 415 445 440 475 69 77 83 83 91 
			 North Tyneside 275 240 230 220 230 66 58 56 55 57 
			 Northumberland 330 335 350 315 325 50 52 55 50 52 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 150 140 130 135 140 48 44 42 43 46 
			 South Tyneside 270 265 265 240 250 79 79 80 75 80 
			 Stockton-On-Tees 205 215 190 190 185 47 49 44 44 44 
			 Sunderland 465 450 460 430 420 74 72 75 72 71 
			
			  North West 9,930 10,070 10,240 10,260 10,410 64 65 67 67 69 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 290 275 290 310 295 74 70 74 79 76 
			 Blackpool 245 270 275 290 260 81 89 91 97 87 
			 Bolton 305 345 380 390 405 48 55 60 62 65 
			 Bury 265 250 290 300 290 61 58 68 70 68 
			 Cheshire 480 495 490 500 545 32 34 33 34 37 
			 Cumbria 620 550 525 480 465 60 53 51 47 46 
			 Halton 190 170 165 160 160 65 59 59 58 57 
			 Knowsley 235 260 280 280 290 62 69 75 76 80 
			 Lancashire 1,300 1,285 1,270 1,280 1,305 50 50 49 50 51 
			 Liverpool 1,015 985 870 820 860 103 102 93 90 96 
			 Manchester 1,240 1,325 1,370 1,455 1,480 128 139 145 154 157 
			 Oldham 295 320 335 360 385 53 57 60 65 70 
			 Rochdale 290 315 315 310 325 56 61 61 62 65 
			 Salford 585 565 575 565 570 120 117 122 121 123 
			 Sefton 370 325 305 330 320 58 51 49 54 54 
			 St Helens 230 235 260 295 320 57 58 64 74 81 
			 Stockport 380 360 370 310 330 59 57 58 50 54 
			 Tameside 295 315 350 320 325 58 62 70 65 67 
			 Trafford 200 195 220 215 220 42 41 46 45 46 
			 Warrington 190 190 210 200 185 42 43 48 46 43 
			 Wigan 415 455 430 410 400 60 66 63 61 60 
			 Wirral 500 590 675 680 670 68 82 95 97 97 
			
			  Yorkshire and The Humber 6,680 6,630 6,550 6,430 6,550 59 58 58 57 59 
			 Barnsley 250 265 250 275 260 51 54 51 56 53 
			 Bradford 815 845 835 830 810 66 68 68 67 65 
			 Calderdale 185 200 235 235 260 40 44 52 51 57 
			 Doncaster 410 400 390 415 405 61 60 59 64 63 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 245 265 290 285 295 37 39 43 42 45 
			 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 615 570 510 550 525 105 98 89 97 94 
			 Kirklees 295 305 310 330 385 31 32 33 35 41 
			 Leeds 1,350 1,385 1,335 1,315 1,360 85 88 86 85 89 
			 North East Lincolnshire 240 230 190 145 155 62 60 50 38 43 
			 North Lincolnshire 180 195 190 170 160 52 56 55 49 47 
			 North Yorkshire 380 395 415 415 430 30 32 33 33 35 
			 Rotherham 410 365 380 315 340 70 62 66 55 59 
			 Sheffield 715 630 660 650 670 66 58 61 61 63 
			 Wakefield 435 420 410 365 340 60 59 57 52 49 
			 York 150 160 150 140 155 42 45 42 40 45 
			
			  East Midlands 4,030 3,940 3,760 3,690 3,680 43 42 40 39 39 
			 Derby 385 385 370 380 390 71 72 69 72 74 
			 Derbyshire 580 530 520 500 500 36 33 32 31 31 
			 Leicester 475 515 465 460 440 69 75 69 68 65 
			 Leicestershire 360 345 330 350 325 27 26 25 26 24 
			 Lincolnshire 560 595 600 560 525 40 42 42 40 37 
			 Northamptonshire 600 600 535 555 565 40 40 35 36 37 
			 Nottingham 525 485 445 410 465 90 84 78 73 83 
			 Nottinghamshire 530 475 475 460 440 32 29 29 28 27 
			 Rutland 10 10 15 10 20 12 13 18 13 24 
			
			  West Midlands 7,120 6,910 6,980 7,140 7,320 58 57 57 59 61 
			 Birmingham 2,055 1,915 1,915 1,965 2,105 81 76 76 78 84 
			 Coventry 510 500 500 490 500 72 72 72 72 74 
			 Dudley 410 420 430 450 470 60 62 64 67 70 
			 Herefordshire 190 195 175 155 170 50 51 46 42 46 
			 Sandwell 525 515 525 555 505 76 75 77 82 75 
			 Shropshire 200 175 185 190 185 33 28 30 31 31 
			 Solihull 200 220 245 285 325 42 47 53 62 70 
			 Staffordshire 620 580 635 680 660 35 33 36 39 38 
			 Stoke-On-Trent 425 395 405 430 440 80 75 77 82 85 
			 Telford and Wrekin 200 195 190 200 230 51 49 49 51 60 
			 Walsall 465 485 460 455 430 75 79 76 75 72 
			 Warwickshire 400 445 465 470 455 36 40 42 42 41 
			 Wolverhampton 385 380 400 375 370 70 69 74 70 70 
			 Worcestershire 535 495 455 435 475 45 42 38 37 40 
			
			  East of England 5,570 5,750 5,800 5,750 5,650 46 47 48 47 46 
			 Bedfordshire 405 440 390 330 315 45 48 42 36 34 
			 Cambridgeshire 345 350 380 385 365 28 28 31 31 30 
			 Essex 1,250 1,285 1,285 1,300 1,235 42 44 44 44 42 
			 Hertfordshire 960 985 980 965 975 40 41 41 40 40 
			 Luton 400 410 395 395 380 82 86 84 84 81 
			 Norfolk 730 755 830 825 835 45 46 51 51 51 
			 Peterborough 325 335 375 370 375 84 87 98 96 97 
			 Southend-on-Sea 265 305 315 305 285 74 85 90 87 82 
			 Suffolk 675 680 665 690 700 45 46 44 46 47 
			 Thurrock 225 210 190 185 185 64 60 53 52 52 
			
			  London 11,740 12,140 11,880 11,770 11,290 73 75 74 73 70 
			
			  Inner London 5,990 6,200 5,970 5,750 5,380 100 103 100 96 91 
			 Camden 345 360 340 340 345 92 96 89 87 88 
			 City Of London 5 15 25 20 25 80 208 303 268 296 
			 Hackney 455 480 480 460 440 87 92 92 89 86 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 390 435 410 390 365 128 143 134 127 120 
			 Haringey 520 515 500 490 445 104 103 100 100 90 
			 Islington 480 475 445 400 365 135 135 128 117 108 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 240 260 250 235 200 86 92 86 78 67 
			 Lambeth 645 630 615 660 595 115 114 111 121 110 
			 Lewisham 565 615 570 480 460 98 109 101 85 81 
			 Newham 675 700 665 685 665 95 100 98 103 101 
			 Southwark 680 660 655 640 625 121 119 119 117 115 
			 Tower Hamlets 330 365 390 380 345 66 72 78 78 71 
			 Wandsworth 365 355 325 275 255 80 78 71 59 54 
			 Westminster 305 330 305 295 260 99 104 95 89 78 
			
			  Outer London 5,750 5,940 5,910 6,010 5,900 57 59 58 59 58 
			 Barking and Dagenham 385 370 390 375 345 90 87 92 86 79 
			 Barnet 380 390 400 370 345 53 54 55 51 47 
			 Bexley 230 205 220 210 205 45 40 43 41 40 
			 Brent 355 385 375 400 405 61 66 65 70 71 
			 Bromley 310 315 295 285 255 47 48 44 43 38 
			 Croydon 680 720 705 800 990 84 90 88 100 125 
			 Ealing 410 390 435 455 435 61 60 67 70 67 
			 Enfield 310 320 305 295 290 48 49 46 44 43 
			 Greenwich 555 555 495 525 525 106 107 97 102 102 
			 Harrow 160 165 170 175 160 33 34 35 36 33 
			 Havering 165 185 190 200 185 33 37 38 40 38 
			 Hillingdon 460 520 590 630 505 80 91 103 110 88 
			 Hounslow 320 325 330 340 340 66 67 69 71 71 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 85 135 90 90 80 27 44 29 28 26 
			 Merton 175 145 145 110 95 43 36 36 27 24 
			 Redbridge 150 170 180 165 175 26 29 30 28 29 
			 Richmond Upon Thames 115 110 100 90 85 33 31 27 24 22 
			 Button 165 155 155 145 145 39 37 37 34 34 
			 Waltham Forest 340 385 360 360 330 66 75 69 70 63 
			
			  South East 7,550 7,530 7,590 7,470 7,340 42 42 42 42 41 
			 Bracknell Forest 65 75 65 80 80 25 27 25 29 29 
			 Brighton and Hove 385 385 365 380 400 83 84 79 82 86 
			 Buckinghamshire 270 305 295 315 325 24 27 26 28 29 
			 East Sussex 475 460 465 465 445 45 44 44 44 43 
			 Hampshire 1,045 1,045 1,035 1,070 1,025 37 37 37 38 37 
			 isle Of Wight 155 165 165 175 200 57 61 60 64 73 
			 Kent 1,515 1,375 1,475 1,350 1,235 49 45 48 44 40 
			 Medway Towns 355 380 345 350 350 57 61 56 57 58 
			 Milton Keynes 225 205 230 235 215 41 38 42 43 39 
			 Oxfordshire 505 485 480 430 410 38 36 36 32 30 
			 Portsmouth 255 270 300 285 265 64 68 77 74 68 
			 Reading 170 185 195 190 215 56 63 67 65 74 
			 Slough 140 135 145 140 135 48 46 51 49 46 
			 Southampton 340 330 315 300 295 77 75 73 70 70 
			 Surrey 710 795 785 735 755 31 34 33 31 32 
			 West Berkshire 110 105 125 115 115 32 31 36 32 32 
			 West Sussex 700 705 695 735 730 43 43 42 45 45 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 60 70 55 70 85 19 23 18 22 26 
			 Wokingham 60 55 60 60 65 18 15 17 18 19 
			
			  South West 4,880 4,900 4,860 4,630 4,550 46 46 46 44 43 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 140 125 105 115 125 40 36 30 33 36 
			 Bournemouth 205 190 180 170 140 68 64 61 58 49 
			 Bristol, City of 535 560 630 600 635 65 69 79 76 80 
			 Cornwall 555 555 530 490 465 53 53 51 46 45 
			 Devon 695 685 610 575 580 48 47 42 40 40 
			 Dorset 280 275 295 275 250 35 34 36 34 31 
			 Gloucestershire 465 450 440 400 400 37 36 35 32 32 
			 Isles Of Scilly 0 — — — 0 0 — — — 0 
			 North Somerset 160 170 150 160 160 40 42 37 38 38 
			 Plymouth 505 515 515 425 390 96 99 99 83 77 
			 Poole 140 135 120 125 110 48 48 42 44 39 
			 Somerset 365 380 375 400 385 33 34 33 36 34 
			 South Gloucestershire 125 140 150 170 170 22 25 26 30 30 
			 Swindon 220 210 240 250 255 52 51 58 60 60 
			 Torbay 215 205 215 175 190 81 78 80 67 72 
			 Wiltshire 285 295 305 300 295 29 29 30 29 29 
			 (1) Source: SSDA903 return on children looked after.  (2 )Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.  (3) Historical data may differ from older publications. This is mainly due to the implementation of amendments and corrections sent by some local authorities after the publication date of previous materials.  (4) Figures are derived from the SSDA903 one-third sample survey.  (5 )Figures are taken from the SSDA903 return which, since 2003-04, covered all children looked after.

Extracurricular Activities

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to increase participation in after-school activities on the part of school pupils since 1997.

Beverley Hughes: The Government are committed to making out of school activities available to all children, and has put in place a large range of action to support this as part of the extended schools programme.
	Our commitment is that by 2010 all schools will be providing access to a core range of extended services, including a varied menu of activities from Sam to 6pm. We are making very good progress, with more than 10,500 schools now providing the full core offer, and many more already providing the varied menu of activities aspect of the core offer.
	A total of £840 million of Government funding was made available to local authorities and schools up to 2008 to support them in developing extended services, with some funding also available to promote and encourage effective programmes of study support available as part of the school development grant. A further £1.3 billion has been announced and will be available over the next three years to support the start-up and sustainability of services. Also as part of this, specific funding will be made available to support access to activities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
	The Training and Development Agency support schools and local authorities to develop extended services, together with other partner organisations from the private and voluntary sectors. Guidance on extended schools and study support has provided practical advice for schools and their partners on setting up activities, developing and funding them, and has highlighted the significant benefits of doing so.

Higher Civil Servants

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of his Department's and its predecessors' senior civil service staff had flexible working arrangements in each year since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: Flexi-time working arrangements do not apply to senior civil service staff. However, they can work flexibly in terms of working patterns and working from home.
	Data is only held on my Department and not predecessor departments. Currently, there around 11 per cent. of senior civil service staff (12 out of 114) who work part-time and a number also work from home occasionally through remote access to our IT systems. Information on home working is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Nursery Schools

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pages of guidance his Department and its predecessors sent to nursery school headteachers in each of the last 10 years.

Kevin Brennan: Maintained nursery schools have received a wide range of statutory and non statutory guidance over the last 10 years. Statistical data on the number of pages included in these documents is not normally collected and would be possible to find out only at disproportionate costs.
	The number of documents sent to all primary schools which would also have been sent to maintained nursery schools is detailed in the following table. The Department stopped sending regular paper mailings to schools in December 2004 replacing it with a regular fortnightly e-mail which allows schools to order the required numbers of documents at their discretion.
	
		
			  Guidance notes issued to primary schools 
			   Primary 
			 1997-98 86 
			 1998-99 96 
			 1999-2000 146 
			 2000-01 47 
			 2001-02 55 
			 2002-03 39 
			 2003-04 31 
			 2004-05 0

Pupils: Southend

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were on the roll  (a) in each secondary school and  (b) at special schools in Southend in each of the last five years for which information is available; and how many children in Southend with special educational needs attended special schools outside Southend in each year.

Jim Knight: The information on the number of pupils in  (a) each secondary school and  (b) special schools has been placed in the House Library.
	The number of pupils with special educational needs who are resident in Southend on Sea local authority but attend special schools outside Southend on Sea local authority has been provided in this answer.
	
		
			  Number of pupils with special educational needs who are resident in Southend on Sea local authority but attend special schools outside Southend on Sea local authority: Position in January each year 2004 to 2008 (provisional). Southend on Sea local authority 
			   Number of pupils 
			 2004 29 
			 2005 30 
			 2006 37 
			 2007 30 
			 2008(1) 29 
			 (1) 2008 is provisional data.  Note: Figures on the number of pupils resident in Southend on Sea local authority with special educational needs (SEN) who attend special schools outside Southend on Sea local authority include boarders. SEN includes school action, school action plus and statement of SEN.  Source:  School Census 
		
	
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools and all special schools: number (headcount) of pupils( 1: ) January 2003. Southend local authority 
			  URN  LEA number  Estab number  School name  Headcount of pupils 
			 115210 882 4034 Shoeburyness High School 1,448 
			 115234 882 4492 Prittlewell Technology College 948 
			 115317 882 5401 Westcliff High School for Boys 1,016 
			 115330 882 5414 The Eastwood School (11-18) 794 
			 115339 882 5423 Westcliff High School for Girls 1,012 
			 115344 882 5428 Southend High School for Girls 936 
			 115346 882 5430 The Thorpe Bay School 602 
			 115350 882 5434 Belfairs High School 1,217 
			 115362 882 5446 Southend High School for Boys 888 
			 115363 882 5447 St. Thomas More High School for Boys 872 
			 115368 882 5452 Cecil Jones High School 1,476 
			 115381 882 5465 St. Bernard's High School 815 
			 115385 882 5950 The St. Christopher School 136 
			 115442 882 7001 Kingsdown School 105 
			 115443 882 7003 Priory School 39 
			 115444 882 7004 St. Nicholas School 96 
			 115445 882 7005 Lancaster School 105 
			 (1) Excluded dually registered pupils 
		
	
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools and all special schools: number (headcount) of pupils( 1: ) January 200 4 . Southend local authority 
			  URN  LEA number  Estab number  School name  Headcount of pupils 
			 115210 882 4034 Shoeburyness High School 1,490 
			 115234 882 4492 Prittlewell Technology College 938 
			 115317 882 5401 Westcliff High School for Boys 994 
			 115330 882 5414 The Eastwood School (11-18) 860 
			 115339 882 5423 Westcliff High School for Girls 1,031 
			 115344 882 5428 Southend High School for Girls 953 
			 115346 882 5430 The Thorpe Bay School 584 
			 115350 882 5434 Belfairs High School 1,227 
			 115362 882 5446 Southend High School for Boys 888 
			 115363 882 5447 St. Thomas More High School for Boys 922 
			 115368 882 5452 Cecil Jones High School 1,493 
			 115381 882 5465 St. Bernard's High School 825 
			 115385 882 5950 The St. Christopher School 142 
			 115442 882 7001 Kingsdown School 98 
			 115443 882 7003 Priory School 41 
			 115444 882 7004 St. Nicholas School 96 
			 115445 882 7005 Lancaster School 96 
			 (1) Excluded dually registered pupils 
		
	
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools and all special schools: number (headcount) of pupils( 1) : January 2005. Southend local authority 
			  Urn  LEA number  Estab number  School name  Headcount of pupils 
			 115210 882 4034 Shoeburyness High School 1,510 
			 115234 882 4492 Prittlewell Technology College 917 
			 115317 882 5401 Westcliff High School for Boys 985 
			 115330 882 5414 The Eastwood School (11-18) 922 
			 115339 882 5423 Westcliff High School for Girls 1,032 
			 115344 882 5428 Southend High School for Girls 967 
			 115346 882 5430 The Thorpe Bay School 578 
			 115350 882 5434 Belfairs High School 1,243 
			 115362 882 5446 Southend High School for Boys 914 
			 115363 882 5447 St. Thomas More High School for Boys 941 
			 115368 882 5452 Cecil Jones High School 1,532 
			 115381 882 5465 St. Bernard's High School 869 
			 115385 882 5950 The St. Christopher School 152 
			 115442 882 7001 Kingsdown School 84 
			 115443 882 7003 Priory School 40 
			 115444 882 7004 St. Nicholas School 94 
			 115445 882 7005 Lancaster School 96 
			 (1) Excluded dually registered pupils. 
		
	
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools and all special schools: number (headcount) of pupils( 1) : January 200 6 . Southend local authority 
			  Urn  LEA number  Estab number  School name  Headcount of pupils 
			 115210 882 4034 Shoeburyness High School 1,548 
			 115234 882 4492 Prittlewell Technology College 901 
			 115317 882 5401 Westcliff High School for Boys 1,000 
			 115330 882 5414 The Eastwood School (11-18) 966 
			 115339 882 5423 Westcliff High School for Girls 1,028 
			 115344 882 5428 Southend High School for Girls 995 
			 115346 882 5430 The Thorpe Bay School 565 
			 115350 882 5434 Belfairs High School 1,240 
			 115362 882 5446 Southend High School for Boys 938 
			 115363 882 5447 St. Thomas More High School for Boys 978 
			 115368 882 5452 Cecil Jones High School 1,573 
			 115381 882 5465 St. Bernard's High School 864 
			 115385 882 5950 The St. Christopher School 145 
			 115442 882 7001 Kingsdown School 73 
			 115443 882 7003 Priory School 35 
			 115444 882 7004 St. Nicholas School 93 
			 115445 882 7005 Lancaster School 92 
			 (1) Excluded dually registered pupils. 
		
	
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools and all special schools: number (headcount) of pupils( 1) : January 200 7 . Southend local authority 
			  Urn  LEA number  Estab number  School name  Headcount of pupils 
			 115210 882 4034 Shoeburyness High School 1,558 
			 131146 882 4735 Chase High School 890 
			 115317 882 5401 Westcliff High School for Boys 1,018 
			 115330 882 5414 The Eastwood School (11-18) 975 
			 115339 882 5423 Westcliff High School for Girls 1,031 
			 115344 882 5428 Southend High School for Girls 1,016 
			 115346 882 5430 The Thorpe Bay School 541 
			 115350 882 5434 Belfairs High School 1,270 
			 115362 882 5446 Southend High School for Boys 965 
			 115363 882 5447 St. Thomas More High School for Boys 986 
			 115368 882 5452 Cecil Jones High School 1,578 
			 115381 882 5465 St. Bernard's High School 843 
			 115385 882 5950 The St. Christopher School 153 
			 115442 882 7001 Kingsdown School 63 
			 115443 882 7003 Priory School 32 
			 115444 882 7004 St. Nicholas School 85 
			 115445 882 7005 Lancaster School 91 
			 (1) Excluded dually registered pupils. 
		
	
	
		
			  Maintained secondary schools and all special schools: number (headcount) of pupils( 1) : January 200 8 (provisional) . Southend local authority 
			  Urn  LEA number  Estab number  School name  Headcount of pupils 
			 115210 882 4034 Shoeburyness High School 1,606 
			 131145 882 4735 Chase High School 896 
			 132762 882 4736 Futures College 577 
			 115317 882 5401 Westcliff High School for Boys 1,022 
			 115330 882 5414 The Eastwood School (11-18) 897 
			 115339 882 5423 Westcliff High School for Girls 1,026 
			 115344 882 5428 Southend High School for Girls 1,022 
			 115350 882 5434 Belfairs High School 1,312 
			 115362 882 5446 Southend High School for Boys 985 
			 115363 882 5447 St. Thomas More High School for Boys 994 
			 115368 882 5452 Cecil Jones High School 1,557 
			 115381 882 5465 St. Bernard's High School 868 
			 115385 882 5950 The St. Christopher School 169 
			 115442 882 7001 Kingsdown School 89 
			 115443 882 7003 Priory School 37 
			 115444 882 7004 St. Nicholas School 93 
			 115445 882 7005 Lancaster School 65 
			 (1) Excluded dually registered pupils.

Children: Protection

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many special Children Act applications were issued by  (a) Cambridgeshire county council,  (b) Cumbria county council, (c) Kent county council and  (d) Medway council in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07 and (iii) 2007-08;
	(2)  how many special Children Act applications were issued by each local authority in Berkshire in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2006-07 and  (c) 2007-08.

Bridget Prentice: The current information systems used in the family courts do not require the applicant type to be recorded specifically. Consequently to extract this information would require a manual trawl of case files and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The most reliable data on public law Children Act applications, particularly at local level, relates to orders made rather than applications issued. The numbers of care and supervision orders made in the family courts in Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Kent (including Medway) and Berkshire in the requested years are therefore provided in the following table.
	National figures for 2006 suggest that between 70 per cent. and 75 per cent. of applications for care or supervision result in either a care order or a supervision order being made. Many of the remaining applications are likely to result in an order of a different type (e.g. 'Section 8' orders for residence or contact).
	The data are compiled based on the location of the order-making court, rather than the local authority making the application, as data on the applicant's identity is not held centrally for all cases. These figures may therefore count orders obtained by other applicants besides the local authorities specified in the question.
	
		
			  Children Act 1989: Care and supervision orders made in the family courts in specific areas 
			   FY 2005-06  FY 2006-07  FY 2007-08 
			  Court/area  CHC  FPC  CHC  FPC  CHC  FPC 
			 Cambridge 34 — 20 — 31 — 
			 Peterborough 58 — 87 — 101 — 
			 Cambridgeshire 92 18 107 16 132 26 
			 Carlisle 27 — 39 — 26 — 
			 Cumbria 27 11 39 24 26 29 
			 Canterbury 80 — 79 — 58 — 
			 Medway 80 — 81 — 110 — 
			 Kent 160 97 160 95 168 75 
			 Milton Keynes 46 — 59 — 66 — 
			 Oxford 46 — 48 — 62 — 
			 Reading 78 — 77 — 116 — 
			 Thames Valley 170 70 184 100 244 91 
			  Notes: 1. CHC = County and High Court; FPC = Family proceedings court. 2. CHC data is collected at court level and does not necessarily reflect counties and their boundaries. 3. FPC data is not available at court level. 4. FPC data for Berkshire is not available as standalone figures. Figures displayed are for Thames Valley. 5. FPC orders made are recorded per child while CHC orders are recorded per order.

Legal Advice and Assistance: Travelling People

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much funding was allocated to legal advice for Travellers in 2007-08 by  (a) his Department and  (b) the Legal Services Commission (i) directly and (ii) in the form of grants to external organisations in 2007-08.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice does not directly fund external organisations to provide legal advice to Travellers.
	The Legal Services Commission (LSC) contracts with the Community Law Partnership to provide a helpline for travellers offering advice on a range of matters. The Travellers' telephone helpline receives funding each year contingent upon the contract holder, the Community Law Partnership, delivering 1,100 hours of work per year. The service has been established since 2004 and forms part of the LSC's national telephone helpline, Community Legal Advice. In 2007-08 the contract for this helpline was worth £56,540 excluding VAT.
	In addition, the Ministry of Justice authorised the LSC to fund a total sum of £31,400 for legal advice and representation for Travellers through the exceptional funding scheme in 2007-08. This was for legal representation at planning inquiries.
	Travellers are also entitled to receive legal aid in other areas of law. However, the LSC does not have readily available information on the number of Travellers who receive such assistance.

National Probation Service for England and Wales: Contracts

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the performance of the Probation Service against its target to subcontract 10 per cent. of services to the voluntary sector in 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The target was for probation areas to sub-contract 5 per cent. in value of services to the private and voluntary sectors in 2006-07, rising to 10 per cent. in value of services in 2007-08. In 2006-07 we estimated, based on self-reporting from probation areas, that overall around 4 per cent. of probation budget was spent on sub-contracted services, although performance varied from area to area. Now that the second reporting period has come to an end we are beginning an assessment of performance against target for 2007-08.
	As part of the transition from probation boards to probation trusts. We are currently consulting on whether to move towards a system of Best Value similar to that used by local government. Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies are also available in the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office, and on the internet at:
	www.justice.gov.uk/publications/consultations.htm
	We are determined to ensure that the voluntary sector plays an increasing role in the delivery of probation services.

Armed Forces: Casualties

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department received from the US Administration the CD recording of the attack which resulted in the death of Lance Corporal of Horse Matthew Hull; under what conditions the CD was given to the Department; which sections of the Department received copies of the recording; how many copies were received; whether any further copies were made; which individuals have had possession of a copy of the recording; what the security classification was of the recording; and what the consequences of this classification were for its handling and disclosure.

Des Browne: The handling of the CD recording in question is currently being investigated. I will write to the hon. Member when the investigation is complete and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
	 Substantive answer from Des Browne to  Liam  Fox:
	You will recall that I wrote to you on 31 August 2007 about the investigation into the handling of the US cockpit recording of an attack on a UK light tank in Iraq on 28 March 2003. We have now received the Joint Army/RAF investigation report on the unauthorised disclosure of the cockpit recording and I am therefore able to give you a substantive reply to your Parliamentary Question of 20 February 2007 (Official Report, column 601W).
	In preparation for the Board of Inquiry into the circumstances of the incident, material was requested from the US authorities including the CD recording. A CD of the cockpit recording was received by the Board of Inquiry from the US authorities on 23 April 2004 via the MOD's Permanent Joint Headquarters. The CD was classified "SECRET- US Government Property - Protect from unauthorized disclosure." This classification is equivalent to the UK Secret protective marking and should have ensured that unauthorised access and disclosure did not occur. As the classification level required the recording of the item in Protective Document Registers this should also have ensured that a proper audit trail was maintained. I regret that the appropriate procedures were not followed.
	The investigation found that at least eight copies were made of the CD and used for various purposes including use by the Board of Inquiry, to help with briefing for deploying pilots and forward air controllers, and to assist studies into friendly fire incidents. The sections of the Department which received copies of the CD were HQ LAND, HQ Adjutant General, Air Command and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to identify how many individuals have had possession of a copy of the recording.
	As a result of the failings identified, remedial action is being taken. A new security education programme is being introduced as part of a wider security awareness campaign to ensure that those involved in the handling of classified and sensitive material are aware of the rules and procedures to be followed. An instruction on the release of US (and other third country) material during legal proceedings has also been issued to all MOD personnel to remind them of their responsibilities in respect of the secure handling of protectively marked US material, and we are in the process of establishing new arrangements for the management of Boards of Inquiry and Inquests to ensure a more consistent approach across the Department. The US authorise have been informed of the investigation's findings and of the remedial action taken.
	I can assure you that I take the protection of classified material, especially that entrusted to us by a close ally, very seriously, and the Permanent Secretary has asked the chain of command to consider whether administrative or disciplinary action against any individual is appropriate in light of the findings of the report.

Armed Forces: Publications

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the joint service publications  (a) JSP 523,  (b) JSP 524,  (c) JSP 532 and (d) JSP 538.

Derek Twigg: The information is as follows:
	 JSP 523: "A Reservist's Guide to Employment Issues"
	This publication is now out of date and no longer in print. It provides reservists with a basic guide to their rights under employment legislation, and to act as a guide for them in getting the support of their employer for both their training in the event that they are mobilised. It was first published in March 2003, and has not been amended or changed since. It is currently being re-written to take account of changes and developments in employment law. The new version is expected to be published later in the year. I shall place a copy of the most recent edition in the Library of the House.
	 JSP 524: Catalogue of Joint Army/RAF, Joint Service, and NATO publications
	I shall place a copy of this publication in the Library of the House.
	 JSP 532: "Guidance for Reservists Returning to Civilian Employment"
	This booklet is a guide to explain to a reservist what their rights are when returning from a period of mobilised service, how to protect those rights, and how to exercise them should the need arise. It was published in 2003 and still in use. It is available via the MOD's SaBRE website:
	http://www.sabre.mod.ulc/files/pdf/SaBRE_JSP532_publications.pdf
	I shall place a copy of this publication in the Library of the House.
	 JSP 538: Regulation of Nuclear Weapon Issue Programme
	I shall place a redacted copy of this publication in the Library of the House.

Bombs

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which UK military engagements in which theatres cluster munitions have been deployed in the last 20 years; and what estimate he has made of the amount of unexploded British ordnance left in each of those theatres.

Bob Ainsworth: UK forces have employed munitions carrying more than 10 sub-munitions in three operations since 1988: Operation Granby in Kuwait/Iraq in 1991; Operation Agricola in Serbia/Kosovo in 1999; and Operation Telic in Iraq in 2003.
	Since then, military and civilian organisations have been engaged in clearing unexploded ordnance used by all parties in these conflicts. It is impracticable to provide an accurate estimate of how much progress has now been made in disposing of unexploded British ordnance originally fired by UK forces remains in each of these theatres.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on the UK's rapid reaction capability of deploying the Spearhead Land Element in support of the pan-Balkans Ready Battalion Operational Reserve Force to Kosovo.

Bob Ainsworth: It is planned that two Rifles will deploy to Kosovo as the NATO Operational Reserve Force by 31 May 2008. They will not be deploying as the Spearhead Land Element; three Scots will replace them in that role before 31 May 2008. With a variety of force elements remaining assigned to the versatile Joint Rapid Reaction Force pool, the UK retains the ability to respond to both domestic and international contingent commitments.

Royal Ordnance Factories

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Royal Ordnance factories closed in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many Royal Ordnance factories there were in each year since 1997.

Bob Ainsworth: In 1987 Royal Ordnance Plc was sold to British Aerospace (now BAE Systems plc), with the exception of Royal Ordnance Factory Leeds which had been acquired by Vickers Defence systems in 1986.
	Since 1987, MOD has had no responsibility for the former Royal Ordnance Factories and any decision by BAE Systems to rationalise its business by closure or sale of its ordnance factories has been a commercial one for the company.

Disabled

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the impact of shared spaces on disabled people, with particular regard to visually impaired people.

James Purnell: I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on this specific issue. However, the Department for communities and Local Government is represented on the cross-ministerial group on "Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People", which meets regularly under the chairmanship of the Minister for Disabled People.
	The Department for Transport and the Department for Communities and Local Government have been working together on the issue of shared spaces, and shared surfaces, and have produced guidance: the Manual for Street, which was published in 2007.
	Later this year, the Department for Transport will start a two-year contract to address the issues faced by visually-impaired people in negotiating shared spaces and shared surfaces. The aim is to produce a comprehensive guidance document outlining various techniques which can be used to help visually-impaired people navigate their way around these environments.

Jobcentre Plus: Fishburn Hedges

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what payments  (a) Jobcentre Plus and  (b) the Pension Protection Fund made to Fishburn Hedges in each of the last five years; and on what date and for what purpose the payment was made in each case.

Anne McGuire: The information available with regard to spend with PR Agency Fishburn Hedges by  (a) Jobcentre Plus and  (b) the Pension Protection Fund is available as follows:
	 (a) The following table sets out the total payments made to Fishburn Hedges by Jobcentre Plus over the last five years. The payments were in respect of various customer focused programmes targeting specific groups such as lone parents or driving customer outcomes, for example through the Local Employment Partnership scheme.
	
		
			  April to March each year  £ 
			 2003-04 (1)— 
			 2004-05 (1)— 
			 2005-06 299,902 
			 2006-07 188,000 
			 2007-08 502,808 
			 (1) No contract or spend. 
		
	
	No further spend has been identified and a more detailed breakdown of the programmes would incur a disproportionate cost.
	 (b) The following table sets out the total payments made to Fishburn Hedges by the Pension Protection Fund over the last five years. The payments were in respect of strategic public affairs and communications advice, including advice on schemes entering compensation and the implementation of the Pension Protection Levies.
	
		
			  April to March each year  £ 
			 2003-04 (1)— 
			 2004-05 (1)— 
			 2005-06 127,215 
			 2006-07 71,345 
			 2007-08 25,780 
			 (1) No contract or spend. 
		
	
	No further spend has been identified and a more detailed breakdown of the programmes would incur a disproportionate cost.

Health Professions: Occupational Health

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government has taken to promote well-being among healthcare professionals and support staff since 1997.

Ann Keen: The Government have done a good deal to promote well-being among health care professionals and support staff since 1997. This includes: Improving Working Lives (2000) and Practice Plus (2001); NHS Plus (2001), providing occupational health to NHS staff; the NHS Employers' reference guide to staff well-being, the Healthy Workplaces Handbook (October 2007); NHS Health and Well-being pilots and 'Health for Health professionals' pilots (2008). In addition, a number of primary care trusts (PCTs) took part in both the recent departmental sponsored Investors in People Health and Well-being at Work and British Health Foundation Well@Work pilots.
	For the future, the Government will be responding later in the year to the proposals in Professor Dame Carol Black's, the National Director for Health and Work's Review of the health of the working age, "Working for a healthier tomorrow" (March 2008) to make all work places healthier. Copies of this publication are available in the Library.

Health Services

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government has taken to ensure high standards of health care services during night-time hours since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have listened to the issues that are important to the public in relation to health care services at night-time and delivered real improvements to availability and standards of services. Improvements have included:
	the introduction of NHS Direct giving people a means of accessing health advice at any time and where necessary being supported to access appropriate treatment;
	improved availability of out of hours pharmacy services. The Pharmacy White Paper, published in April, sets out ways in which urgent access to medicines can be further improved;
	allowing general practitioners to transfer responsibility for providing out of hours services to primary care trusts (PCTs). This has given PCTs the legal responsibility and opportunity to ensure that everyone has access to consistently high quality and responsive out of hours service; and
	a guide to risk-assessing hospitals at night to help ensure that hospital at night solutions are designed and implemented to provide safer patient care was jointly published by the National Patient Safety Agency and Modernisation Agency.
	In addition to the service improvements that have taken place over the last 10 years, there has been a focus on assessing performance which has looked not only at service availability but also the quality of those services. In 2004 the Department published, "Standards for Better Health (National Standards Local Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005-06—2007-08)" setting out the level of quality all organisations providing national health service care are expected to meet or aspire to across the NHS in England. Copies of this publication are available in the Library.
	The current performance assessment model carried out by the independent regulator, the Healthcare Commission, includes the core standards i.e. the minimum level of quality that health care services are expected to meet. Each year, the Healthcare Commission produces the Annual Health Check detailing the outcome of this performance assessment. The Commission also regulates independent health care providers.

Kernicterus

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 25 June 2007,  Official Report, column 271W, on the Pregnancy Book, 
	(1)  whether standardisation of total serum bilirubin measurements has been accomplished; whether the cases of kernicterus reported to the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit have been analysed with a root cause analysis; whether a system of mandatory reporting of elevated bilirubin levels has been established; and what arrangements have been made for ready access to transcutaneous bilirubin and total serum bilirubin measurements among in-patients and out-patients;
	(2)  with reference to the answer of 25 January 2007,  Official Report, column 2045W, on the Pregnancy Book, if he will place in the Library the results of the work which was commissioned to complete the review.

Ann Keen: British Paediatric Surveillance Unit data formed the basis of a 'Prospective Surveillance Study of Severe Byperbilirubinaemia in the Newborn in the UK and Ireland' (Donal Manning, et al Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2007; 992:342-346). Copies of this study have been placed in the Library.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently developing guidance on the recognition and treatment of neonatal jaundice and recently carried out a consultation on the scope of the guideline. NICE expects to issue the guideline in early 2010.
	The UK National Screening Committee will consider action on the report when the scope of the NICE guideline is finalised.

NHS: Identity Cards

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 27 February 2006,  Official Report, column 439W, on the European Health Insurance Card, if he will place in the Library minutes of discussions of the potential costs and benefits of the proposed national health service card with the NHS Connecting for Health National Programme for IT; and what his policy on whether to introduce an NHS card.

Ben Bradshaw: A number of discussions took place in the course of developing policy advice to Ministers on the possible costs and benefits of an national health service card. The Government do not disclose details of internal policy deliberations. There are no current plans to introduce an NHS card.

NHS: Public Participation

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local authorities have appointed host organisations to set up local involvement networks (LINKs); and what steps the Government is taking to ensure that host organisations for LINKs will be in place by the September 2008 deadline.

Ann Keen: The Government do not collect the requested data centrally. However, the Local Government Association, in partnership with the Department has compiled the following information. Local authorities (LAs), when asked when they expected to award a contract to a host organisation for the purpose of setting up a local involvement network (LINk) declared the following (as of 23 April 2008):
	42 LAs had awarded a contract prior to 1 April;
	22 LAs anticipated awarding a contract by the end of April;
	17 LAs anticipated awarding a contract by the end of May;
	21 LAs anticipated awarding a contract by the end of June;
	17 LAs anticipated awarding a contract by the end of July;
	five LAs anticipated awarding a contract by the end of August;
	10 LAs anticipated awarding a contract by the end of September; and
	three LAs responded with an unspecified deadline but anticipated that they would award a contract by September.
	While, this data does not represent a definitive picture as only 137 of the 150 LAs with social services responsibilities responded to the informal poll, we think the findings are encouraging.
	The Department issued two guidance documents in August 2007, designed to help LAs get ready for LINks, one of these documents contained a 'model contract' for LAs to use as a reference. This guidance accompanied a one-off payment of £10,000 to each LA to assist them in the procurement process.
	Since that time, LINk leads—who are based in Las—have received monthly bulletins updating them on LINks policy developments and giving them the practical information they need to set up a successful LINk. Further, as part of the programme of support the Department is offering for LINks, expert advisors from the NHS National Centre for Involvement (NCI) have visited LAs to provide help and advice and good practice has been shared more widely at workshops and seminars. The NCI has also produced a compendium of guidance to help support LINks implementation.

NHS: Working Hours

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department requires NHS trusts to collect in order to monitor compliance with the Working Time Directive.

Ann Keen: The Department does not require national health service trusts to collect information to monitor compliance with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). Local NHS trusts are responsible for implementing the EWTD as part of their health and safety obligations.
	The Working Time Regulations (WTR) requires employers to keep adequate records of working hours and the Department has helped to communicate these regulations through guidance. Guidance on the WTR can be found on the Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform's website at:
	www.berr.gov.uk/employment/employment-legislation/employment-guidance/page28978.html

Thrombosis

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many successful clinical negligence claims in relation to venous thromboembolism were made against NHS bodies in each year between 1996 and 2006;
	(2)  how much compensation was awarded for venous thromboembolism clinical negligence claims against NHS bodies between 1996 and 2006; and what the average amount of compensation awarded was;
	(3)  what the legal costs for NHS bodies were related to venous thromboembolism clinical negligence claims in each year between 1996 and 2006.

Ann Keen: The information requested is shown in the following tables and was provided by the NHS Litigation Authority. The data only covers claims made against national health service trusts, NHS foundation trusts and primary care trusts. Claims may include other injuries that have been compensated, not just those relating to venous thromboembolism. Table 1 shows data relating to successful claims, including the number of claims, total compensation paid, average compensation paid and legal costs paid by defence. Table 2 shows the data relating to unsuccessful claims, including number of claims and legal costs paid by defence.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of clinical negligence claims closed with compensation by year of  closure where thrombosis/embolism is the injury or deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary  embolism or venous thromboembolism is mentioned in the incident details  as at 31 March 2008 
			  Year of closure  Number of claims  Compensation paid (£)  Average compensation paid (£)  Defence costs paid (£) 
			 1997-98 4 57,500 14,375 14,581 
			 1998-99 12 333,308 27,776 125,551 
			 1999-2000 29 1,861,402 64,186 343,282 
			 2000-01 15 623,036 41,536 122,365 
			 2001-02 28 2,076,851 74,173 324,743 
			 2002-03 36 1,268,643 35,240 356,205 
			 2003-04 41 1,874,569 45,721 579,001 
			 2004-05 46 3,421,756 74,386 613,826 
			 2005-06 37 1,728,390 46,713 372,555 
			 2006-07 40 2,377,497 59,437 477,964 
			 Total 288 15,622,953 54,246 3,330,070 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of clinical negligence claims closed with nil compensation by year of closure where thrombosis/embolism is the injury or deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or venous thromboembolism is mentioned in the incident details  as at 31 March 2008 
			  Year of closure  Number of claims  Compensation paid (£)  Defence costs paid (£) 
			 1995-96 1 0 0 
			 1996-97 1 0 0 
			 1997-98 1 0 13,095 
			 1998-99 5 0 3,204 
			 1999-2000 7 0 51,196 
			 2000-01 8 0 31,188 
			 2001-02 14 0 99,453 
			 2002-03 44 0 216,352 
			 2003-04 57 0 165,792 
			 2004-05 38 0 107,995 
			 2005-06 35 0 137,582 
			 2006-07 39 0 149,819 
			 Total 250 0 975,674

Alcoholic Drinks: Young People

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government has taken to combat drinking in public places by those under age.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 12 May 2008
	The Government take underage drinking very seriously. The National Alcohol Strategy 'Safe.Sensible.Social' published in June 2007, focuses action on three groups most at risk which are 18 to 24 year-old binge drinkers, young people under 18 who drink alcohol, and harmful drinkers whose drinking is damaging their health, often without them realising it.
	In the Home Secretary's speech on 6 February 2008, she said that a number of new measures and possible steps would be taken to crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour which is fuelled by alcohol. This includes highlighting the message that it is not acceptable for young people to drink in public places. The Home Secretary also said that she is considering a number of options including making the possession of alcohol by a young person an offence, or possibly involving the parents if alcohol is confiscated from a child. We are currently considering the effectiveness of the current powers and what can be done to help the police use them more effectively.
	The Department for Children, Schools and Families will shortly be publishing a Youth Alcohol Action Plan which will build on the toughened enforcement of the underage drinking laws. It will set out the responsibilities of parents and the alcohol industry as well as sending a clear message that young people drinking in public is not acceptable.
	Additionally, two confiscation campaigns have taken place recently; one in October 2007 and one in February 2008. The results of the October campaign where 23 out of the 227 Basic Command Units (BCUs) took part, showed that nearly 3700 litres of alcohol were confiscated from young people during the four week period. The February 2008 campaign involved 165 BCUs where 21,000 litres of alcohol was confiscated during a two week period. Activity in both campaigns focussed on school holidays and weekends when young people were most likely to be engaged in this activity.
	Other campaigns include the tackling underage sales of alcohol campaign (TUSAC) which focused on shop keepers who sold alcohol to children. The TUSAC took place between May and July 2007 and demonstrated a new approach to test purchase campaigns by focusing on perceived problem premises identified locally. The results of the latest Tackling Underage Sales of Alcohol Campaign (TUSAC) show that it is increasingly difficult for under-18s to purchase alcohol. This is in large part thanks to tougher enforcement by police and trading standards in conjunction with the positive efforts of industry to clamp down on underage sales.
	The Government also support schemes that make it easier for retailers to verify, and young people to prove their age. That is why we are working with the British Retail Consortium's Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) which validates the variety of proof of age card schemes available. This allows card schemes to apply for accreditation under PASS and entitles them to issue cards displaying the PASS holographic logo. This is easily recognisable both to retailers and young people and helps them know that they have a proof of age document which should be accepted. The Government have recently given the Proof of Age Standards Scheme 50,000 in order to assist the PASS Board in raising awareness of the scheme amongst young people and retailers.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders were issued in the London Borough of Enfield in each of the last 10 years.

Vernon Coaker: Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) became available in April 1999. The latest available information on the number of ASBOs issued goes up to 31 December 2006. The available information is shown in the following tables.
	ASBO data were available broken down by local authority areas up to December 2005. Data for 2006 is available at criminal justice system (CJS) area level only so data for Greater London has been provided for that period. CJS areas are coterminous with police force areas.
	
		
			  Number of ASBOs issued at all courts, as reported to the Home Office by the Court Service, where restrictions were imposed within the London borough of Enfield, by period up to 31 December 2005 
			  Period 
			   1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000( 1)  1 June 2000 to 31 December 2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  1 April 1999 to 31 December 2005 
			 All persons n/a — — — 2 4 15 21 
			 n/a = Not available. (1) Between 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000, data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area (PFA).  Notes: 1. This local authority area table differs from criminal justice system area (CJSA) tables in that an issuing court can be outside the area in which the restrictions have been imposed. For example, an issuing court may be in Hertfordshire (CJSA) but restrictions apply solely to a local authority area within Greater London. 2. Previously issued data have been revised following joint Home Office/Court Service data reconciliation exercises. 3. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of antisocial behaviour orders 'issued' at all courts in the Greater London CJS area, as reported to the Home Office by the Court Service, April 1999 to December 2006 
			  Period 
			   1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000( 1)  1 June 2000 to 31 December 2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  1 April 1999 to 31 December 2005 
			 All persons 9 19 15 21 139 446 533 359 1,541 
			 (1) Between 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000, data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area (PFA).  Notes: 1. Previously issued data have been revised. 2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Antisocial Behaviour: Crime Prevention

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on the Respect Squad since its launch; how many people are employed in the Respect Squad; on how many occasions members of the Respect Squad have made practitioner interventions to provide advice on combating anti-social behaviour; and what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Respect Squad.

Vernon Coaker: The Respect Squad was launched in the summer of 2006 and established by the then Respect Task Force. Between the summer of 2006 and the end of 2007 the expenditure on the squad, which comprised of existing expert practitioners, was £10,000 to cover their expenses. The Respect squad comprised of 10 people, made up of national recognised practitioners who provided advice and assistance for local partners in relation to complex cases of antisocial behaviour. The squad dealt with 53 cases in total since its launch in summer 2006.
	We considered the role of the squad to be very effective which is why the Home Office announced on 8 May a new ASB Action Squad who will help local partners make full use of the existing antisocial behaviour tools and powers.

Young Offenders

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the effects of financial hardship amongst children and young people on their propensity to offend.

Vernon Coaker: Growing up with poverty and deprivation can have serious impacts on children's experiences and life chances. Poor childhood development and experiences can lead to negative outcomes including lower educational attainment and employability, poor health and poor non-cognitive skills. Such outcomes increase the likelihood that children will face poverty and deprivation later in life leading to intergenerational cycles of deprivation.
	Chapter 5 of Ending Child Poverty—Everybody's Business (published alongside the Budget on 12 March this year) sets out the new approach to developing the child poverty strategy to meet the Government's target for halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020.
	Child poverty is multi-faceted and requires a joined-up approach especially at the local level which is why our new approach sets out the role for Government, communities, local authorities, service providers, employers and families as partners in a 'contract out of poverty.
	The Government are committed to tackling crime, and in particular intervening early with young people to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour and reduce the impact of youth crime on our communities.
	That is why the Home Office is working closely with the Ministry of Justice and Department for Children, Schools and Families, to develop the Youth Crime Action Plan. The Action Plan will be published in summer 2008. It will set out an overall strategy for youth crime reduction. The Action Plan will deliver results across youth crime prevention and youth justice as well as a cross cutting theme on victimisation. The overall aim is to reduce offending and re-offending by young people.